Place the washed chicken pieces in a bowl and add the marinade ingredients. Let this marinate for 15-30mins. I went with chicken thighs, you can use drumsticks, breast or thighs or a combo.

I then soaked the almonds and cashews in water. Peel the skin off the almonds and then grind the nuts along with the coconut to a smooth paste.

In a deep pot, add some oil and once hot add the bay leaf, cumin seeds, fennel seeds. Give it 30 seconds and then add the onion, ginger and garlic pastes. Saute until the onions start to soften.

Add the chile powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder and mix well and let it cook for another couple of minutes.

Next add the marinated chicken and mix well to combine. Cover with a lid and let it cook on low heat. I did not add any water as the chicken releases water as it cooks. After 10 minutes, add the tomatoes and allow it to cook until the tomatoes get all mushy.

The nut paste goes in next. Mix it with the chicken pieces and let it cook for 5 minutes.

Next add the curd, about a cup of water, and also season with salt.

I let this cook until the gravy got nice and thick.

Final step is to add the kasoori methi and garam masala. Give it all a good mix. Let this stay on the heat for 2 more mins.